You can move most of your data from Android to iPhone, but not all of it, and the process depends on what you're moving

Apple's Move to iOS app handles the basics — contacts, calendar events, photos, and some app data — during the initial iPhone setup. Google accounts transfer their own data through standard sign-in. But text messages, call history, and some third-party app data don't move automatically, and you'll need to handle them separately or accept that they stay behind. The easiest path is to set up your new iPhone first, then use Move to iOS before you finish the setup wizard. If you've already finished setup, you can still move data, but the process is messier.

The data that transfers depends on timing and which apps you use. If you run Move to iOS during initial setup, you get SMS and MMS messages, but not WhatsApp or other messaging apps. If you use Google services — Gmail, Google Photos, Google Calendar — those sync automatically once you sign in, regardless of when you set up your iPhone. Paid apps and app subscriptions don't transfer at all; you'll need to buy them again or find free alternatives on the App Store.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple's Move to iOS app transfers contacts, photos, calendars, and some app data during iPhone setup, but works best if you run it before you finish the initial setup process.
  • Text messages and call history do not transfer through Move to iOS and require third-party tools or manual export if you need to keep them.
  • Google accounts, Gmail, and Google Photos sync automatically once you sign in on your iPhone, so you don't need to move that data separately.
  • App data transfers only if the app developer has set up that feature; most apps require you to sign in again on your iPhone to access your account.
  • If you've already finished iPhone setup, you can still use Move to iOS, but you'll need to factory reset your iPhone or use a computer to transfer some data types.

Using Move to iOS during initial setup

When you turn on a new iPhone for the first time, the setup wizard asks whether you want to restore from a backup or set up as new. Choose Migrate from Android. This launches the option to use Move to iOS. On your Android phone, download the Move to iOS app from Google Play, open it, and follow the prompts. The app generates a code that you enter on your iPhone to pair the devices.

Once paired, Move to iOS transfers contacts, calendar events, free apps that exist on both platforms, photos and videos, text messages (SMS and MMS only, not WhatsApp or other third-party messaging apps), Google account settings, and some accessibility preferences. The transfer happens over Wi-Fi and can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have. Keep both phones plugged in and on the same network until the transfer finishes. Do not use either phone during the transfer, as interruptions can cause the process to fail or transfer incomplete data.

The Move to iOS app does not transfer paid apps, app subscriptions, or app data from most third-party apps. You'll need to download those apps separately on your iPhone and sign in to restore your account. Some apps — like Spotify, Netflix, or banking apps — sync your account automatically once you log in. Others may require you to manually restore settings or data by opening the app's settings menu and looking for an import or restore option.

What to do if you've already finished iPhone setup

If you've already completed the initial setup on your iPhone, you have two options: factory reset the phone and run Move to iOS again, or transfer data manually using a computer or cloud services. A factory reset erases everything on the iPhone and returns it to the setup screen, which takes 10 to 15 minutes. This is the cleanest approach if you haven't added much to the iPhone yet. To factory reset, go to Settings, tap General, scroll to the bottom, tap Transfer or Reset, then tap Erase All Content and Settings.

If you don't want to reset, use your computer instead. Connect your Android phone to a Mac or Windows PC, locate the files you want to transfer (photos, documents, downloads), and copy them to your iPhone using a tool like Android File Transfer (for Mac) or Windows Explorer (for Windows). This method works for files but not for contacts or calendar events — those still require Move to iOS or manual entry. For contacts and calendars, you'll need to export them as files from your Android phone and import them separately on your iPhone, which takes longer but avoids a factory reset.

Transferring contacts and calendar events without Move to iOS

If Move to iOS didn't work or you missed the window, you can export contacts and calendar events from your Android phone and import them into your iPhone. On Android, open Google Contacts, select the contacts you want to move (or select all), and export them as a .vcf file. Email the file to yourself, open it on your iPhone, and tap Add All Contacts. The contacts appear in your iPhone's native Contacts app within a few seconds. This method works for any contacts stored in Google Contacts, including those synced from other sources.

For calendar events, open Google Calendar on your computer, go to Settings, find the calendar you want to export, and download it as an .ics file. On your iPhone, email yourself the file, tap it to open it, and choose which calendar to add the events to. Alternatively, if you use Google Calendar on your iPhone, sign in with your Google account and your events sync automatically — you don't need to export anything. This is the fastest option if you already use Google Calendar on Android.

Handling text messages and call history

Text messages and call history are the hardest data to move from Android to iPhone because Apple's ecosystem doesn't include a built-in import tool for them. Move to iOS transfers SMS and MMS messages, but only if you run it during initial setup. If you've already finished setup, those messages stay on your Android phone. This is a one-way limitation — there's no way to retrieve them after the initial setup is complete without third-party software.

Third-party tools like Dr.Fone, PhoneTrans, or iSkysoft can extract messages from Android and import them into iPhone, but they require a computer and a paid subscription, usually between $30 and $50. For most people, the practical choice is to accept that old text messages stay on the Android phone and start fresh on the iPhone. If you need to preserve specific conversations, take screenshots or export them as PDFs before you switch. You can also ask contacts to resend important information if you need it.

Call history follows the same rule — it doesn't transfer automatically. If you need a record of calls, export the call log from your Android phone as a file before you switch, or simply accept that your call history resets on the iPhone. Most people don't need call history after switching phones, but if you do, check your Android phone's settings for a call log export option or use a third-party app to back it up.

Syncing Google accounts and cloud services

Google accounts sync automatically on iPhone once you sign in. Open Settings on your iPhone, tap Mail, then Accounts, then Add Account, and choose Google. Enter your credentials and select which services to sync: Gmail, Google Contacts, Google Calendar, Google Photos, Google Drive, and others. All of these appear on your iPhone immediately without needing Move to iOS. This is often faster and more reliable than trying to transfer files manually, especially if you have a lot of data.

If you use other cloud services — Dropbox, OneDrive, iCloud, Amazon Photos — download their apps from the App Store and sign in. Your files and photos sync the same way. Google Photos is particularly useful because it backs up all your photos automatically once you sign in, so you don't have to worry about losing them if your Android phone is damaged or lost. Make sure you have enough storage space on your iPhone for the photos you want to keep, or use cloud storage to access them without downloading everything locally.

Transferring app data and subscriptions

Most apps require you to sign in again on your iPhone to access your account and data. Download the app from the App Store, open it, and log in with your username and password. The app then syncs your account data — your saved games, preferences, playlists, or documents — depending on what the developer has set up. This process is automatic for most major apps, but some smaller or older apps may not support account syncing and will require you to manually restore settings.

App subscriptions do not transfer. If you had a paid subscription on Android — like a premium tier in a game or a streaming service — you'll need to renew it on your iPhone through the App Store. Some services offer a grace period or will credit you for the remaining time on your Android subscription, but you have to contact them directly to ask. Check the app's settings or help section for information about transferring your subscription before you cancel on Android.

Paid apps you bought on Android do not transfer to iPhone. Apps are tied to the store where you bought them. If you paid for an app on Google Play, you'll need to buy it again on the App Store, or find a free alternative. Check whether the developer offers a discount or free version on iOS before you pay again. Many developers offer both free and paid versions, so search the App Store for the app name and look for a free option first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer WhatsApp messages from Android to iPhone?

WhatsApp messages do not transfer through Move to iOS because WhatsApp is a third-party app. You can back up your WhatsApp data on Android using Google Drive, then restore it on iPhone if you sign in with the same phone number. Open WhatsApp on your iPhone, verify your phone number, and follow the prompts to restore from your Google Drive backup. This works only if you backed up to Google Drive before switching phones.

What happens to my photos if I don't use Move to iOS?

Photos stay on your Android phone unless you move them manually. If you use Google Photos, sign in on your iPhone and your photos sync automatically — you don't need Move to iOS. If you don't use Google Photos, connect your Android phone to a computer, copy the photos to a folder, then import them into your iPhone using a computer or by emailing them to yourself.

Do I need to keep my Android phone after the transfer?

You don't need to keep it running, but it's useful to have it nearby for a few days after the switch. You may realize you need to access something you forgot to transfer, or you might need to sign into an app again and want to check your Android phone for the password. After a week or two, you can safely wipe and store it or recycle it.

Can I transfer my Android backup to iPhone?

Android backups (created through Google Drive or Samsung Cloud) do not restore to iPhone because the two systems use different backup formats. Move to iOS is the closest equivalent — it extracts the data you need and converts it to iPhone format. You cannot restore an Android backup file directly to an iPhone.

What if Move to iOS fails or gets stuck?

If Move to iOS stops responding, restart both phones and try again. Make sure both phones are on the same Wi-Fi network and have good signal. If it fails a second time, factory reset your iPhone and start the setup process over. If it continues to fail, use a computer to transfer files manually and sign into your Google account to sync contacts and calendar events.